The Christmas Letter

I don't think there are words to explain how much I enjoyed this book. It is my favourite genre, Xmas fiction, but it was so well written it is one I have thought about many times since finishing it. It is heart warming, romantic and uplifting fictiom at it's very best - a definite 5 stars from me.

This is one of my
Favourite authors so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this and read it in one sitting.

As usual this author pulls at your heart strings and breaks your heart only to build it back up again. As someone who strongly believes in serendipity and fate and things happening for a
Reason this was a delight to read and covered a lot of sensitive issues such as grief,
Loss and friendships and family breakdown and of second chances and finding yourself whilst at
The same time helping and improving the lives of others.

I really liked the idea of the dead stranger club and this was really inspiring and something that I think a lot of people would
Benefit from.

This was a book which will stay with me for a long time

***Trigger warnings*** terminal cancer and miscarriage

We meet Holly, who is with her older sister Lily on her way to spend Christmas with their parents. They stop at the Impression Sunrise Cafe  and Holly accidentally runs into Jack, knocking his drinks on the floor. They have a moment, and Jack leaves his number on Holly's coffee cup. Unfortunately, the cup is lost after Holly & Lily end up in a car accident.

The story jumps 3 years, and Holly is now estranged from her family. Through her friend Abi, she becomes part of the Stranger Letter club. Every Christmas, Holly exchanges a letter with a stranger. This year, though, the letter is signed, and the  café, where Holly met Jack, is mentioned. Emma takes it on to track down the writer of the letter, who herself is estranged from her family and battling cancer. So on Christmas Eve, Holly knocks on Emma's door....

The story continues to develop into a beautiful friendship between Holly and Emma, and Holly is determined to reunite Emma with her grandson (who turns out to be Jack!)

I adored the unlikely friendships between Holly and Emma. Emma was just wonderful witty with her oneliners.

The book is beautiful written and spreading the action across four sections of a year. The theme is Christmas, but this should not stop you from reading this book throughout the year.

The Christmas Letter pulled at my heartstrings and made me cry & smile at the same time. Everything about this story is moving, and the author covers subjects like grief, loss, guilt, fate, forgiveness, family estrangement, hope, and, of course love.

Curl up with the most uplifting and heartwarming festive romance of 2023!

Thank you, @netgalley and @headlinebooks, for the advanced reading copy.

Puplication Date: 26.10.2023

Love this author! It is one of those books that transports you making you forget about real life and full of delightful characters that spring to life. I actually felt like I was there in the story with them ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was a sad happy moving story. Missed chances and un necessary blame and you understand all sides. I really enjoyed it. I love the idea of the writing of letters to help people. I was not impressed with Hollys parents at choosing over their daughters but I got it . You got love and a good friendship. . A sad happy ending Read it

Very excited for another beautiful read from Emily Stone. I've loved all her previous books and so excited for this one as well. Her stories are always so beautiful and heartfelt. Will be sure to share my full review and thoughts soon.

Loved this book. So emotional. Since an accident 3 years ago Holly has spent Christmas on her own. She writes Dear Stranger letters and also gets one back each year until this year when she gets one from Emma. Holly determines to find her and then meets Jack and their lives all seem to be intertwined.